July 18, 2025 • 13 mins
Welcome to the Christmas series! Joseph reels in hurt, anger, and confusion. Joseph and Mary have been robbed of everything. They continue their journey, losing hope and patience with each other. What will bring them back to each other?
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As we dive deeply into iconic Bible heroes' enthralling narratives, we find more than just stories of faith and miracles. We discover a recurrent theme, a spiritual undertone that connects each tale to the grandeur of the Gospel.
They're not just standalone legends; they're threads in a divine tapestry, weaving a story that foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate hero, the promised Messiah who brings light to the darkest corners of history.
For more Bible stories download the Pray.com app.
To learn more about Rabbi Schneider visit https://discoveringthejewishjesus.com/
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Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever Psalm twenty three six. Dear Heavenly Father,
as we celebrate the birth of your son, we are
reminded of your enduring love. Your love reaches out to
(00:22):
us despite our foolishness, mistakes, and failures. Your goodness and
mercy are not limited to the perfect moments, but stretch
into the margins of our lives, covering us with grace
when we falter. Thank you for the assurance that, no
matter where we wander, your goodness and mercy are never
(00:44):
far behind, ready to restore, heal, and guide us back
to your embrace. This Christmas, may our hearts be filled
with gratitude for your unfailing love, your patience, and the
hope we find in our Savior's birth. In the name
of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen. Thank you for praying
(01:10):
with me to day. Stay tuned now for another episode
of Stories of the Messiah. With Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Engrossed in her thoughts and nodding off from exhaustion, Mary
didn't notice them until it was too late. She turned
to see them and held back panic. Mary wasn't foolish
enough to scream. She knew that if she shouted for Joseph,
they would kill him before he could even reach his feet.
Mary remained still pretending to sleep, occasionally looking over. Her
(01:46):
heart was pounding. She was paralyzed in an unwinnable situation
as she watched the robbers take the donkey with them.
That is when Mary finally chose to speak. Joseph. She
whispered in an intense tone, too, I've taken everything. Joseph
rose frantically and unsheathed his dagger. Hearing Joseph, the robbers
quickened and ran into the thick of the night. Joseph
(02:08):
began to run after them, mind racing with rage and weariness. However,
just as he was beginning to gain on the thieves,
he heard Mary's voice. Joseph, where are you? Joseph stopped.
If he continued, something might happen to Mary. He watched
the dim figures disappear into the night. Joseph turned back
to camp. We've lost everything, he shouted, his voice trembling
(02:31):
with anger and regret.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Hello and shaloam everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode
of stories of the Messiah. I'm your host, Rabbi Schneider
from discovering the Jewish Jesus, and it is my joy
to guide you through the epic tale of the Nativity.
In today's episode, Mary and Joseph continue their journey to Bethlehem.
Thieves have just stolen their donkey and supply is causing
(02:56):
tension between Mary and Joseph as their desperation increases. Joseph
fights bitterness against Mary and Mary fights insecurity about how
Joseph is feeling about her. This story is a dramatization,
and we can never really know what happened on that
journey between Nazareth and Bethlehem. Still, the struggles highlighted in
(03:17):
this episode are real, especially for a newly married couple.
Joseph and Mary are facing intense pressure. We eagerly wait
to see if that pressure causes them to crack or
to turn into diamonds. We often encounter situations that test
our patience, faith, and wisdom in our walk with God.
During these times, we can fall into desperation and make
(03:40):
foolish decisions that can get us into trouble. Psalm twenty
three to six reminds us surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life, and I
will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. This
powerful verse assures us that despite our follies, God's grace
is always there to guide and protect us. Joseph is
(04:02):
about to do something foolish out of anger, weariness, and pressure.
Let's see how it turns out for him. After our story,
we will rejoin each other to unpack Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Once filled with light hearted conversations and shared dreams, the
journey had become an echoing silence. Mary's heart ached not
from the physical strain, but from the chasm that had
formed between her and Joseph. Their shared pass now felt
like two parallel lines, forever together, yet never meeting. As
the sun cast long golden rays across the trail, marking
(04:38):
yet another day's journey, they entered the small village of Khan,
bustling with travelers and locals alike. Khan promised a brief
respite from the solitude of the valley. The two took
an opportunity to take some much needed time alone. Mary
sought water from the local well while Joseph wandered through
the marketplace, driven by a combination of duty and s
(05:01):
He was teeming with anger and frustration. At first, he
was angry with Mary. She was the one who let
her guard down so the thieves could come and steal
the supplies. But upon further reflection, Joseph knew she was
not to blame. He was now angry at himself. We
need the food, he whispered to God, Please, Lord, Please.
(05:23):
Joseph was exasperated and weary, but his attention piqued when
he saw a familiar sight. The side a fruit vendor
was his donkey. Strapped to it were all their possessions.
Beside the donkey were the two thieves bartering for dried dates.
Joseph's eyes lit up with excitement. A storm of emotion
surge within Joseph's anger, hope, desperation, all intertwining, urging him forward.
(05:48):
Joseph was usually a calculated man who considered all options
before acting. However, hunger and misery have a way of
fogging a man's judgment. Without warning or pretense, Joseph ran
towards the done. He took it by the reins, mounted it,
and kicked it.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
He shouted, and the donkey ran frantically through the marketplace,
looking over the supplies of nearby vendors. Joseph looked back
as the two thieves ran in violent pursuit. The donkey
wasn't nearly fast enough With him on his back. He
turned the corner down a narrow alleyway, ducking under clothes
lines and support beams. He didn't know the streets of
Khan or where he was going. Joseph hadn't thought any
(06:26):
of this through. As Joseph turned the corner in one
of the alleys, his eyes widened. A drop off into
a courtyard was ahead, and the donkey was going full
speed without any intention of stopping. Not good, he shouted,
as he and the donkey lunged off a ledge into
a nearby field stand. Figs, apples, and honeycombs splattered over
the ground. The donkey picked itself up and darted off
(06:47):
with all the supplies. Before Joseph could chase after it,
he was tackled to the ground by both thieves. The
three men struggled in the dirt before the two strangers
pinned Joseph, where is our donkey? They sneered, your donkey?
You saw it from me, Joseph replied in anger, They
struck him on the mouth immediately, then threw him against
the wall. They delivered a blow to the ribs and
(07:09):
then to his face. Joseph knew he couldn't bite them.
He tried to run, but was pinned to the dirt again.
With the little freedom and strength he had left, Joseph
grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in their eyes.
They let up their grip just enough for Joseph to
scurry away. He rounded the corner and climbed the stairway
to a raised garden. He waited in the bushes and
watched the thieves turn in the opposite direction. Before they
(07:31):
could find Joseph, two Roman soldiers seized them and took
them away. Joseph crawled out and lay on the floor.
His ribs were bruised and his face was bleeding, but
he was safe. He propped himself up and looked around.
The donkey was grazing onto the shade of the terubin tree.
He hobbled over to it and stroked its nose. Thank
you Lord, he sighed, with a WinCE of pain. He
(07:54):
grabbed the reins and hobbled back to the well where
Mary waited. She sat down, hands on a belly, no doubt,
praying for Joseph's safe return. Of that moment, he was
reminded of the intense burden she carried. Who was he
to feel sorry for himself? He limped down the path
to Mary. Mary, he sighed in relief. Their eyes met,
and in that shared moment, words became superfluous. Joseph hugged
(08:17):
her with tender love. His ribs hurt from her arms,
but he didn't care. She held him tight, and the
barriers that had grown between them started crumbling brick by brick.
She looked at his face and gently touched his bruised cheek.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
For a moment, I thought I had lost you.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Mary whispered, tears glistening. Taking her hand, Joseph replied, I
will always find my way back to you. They ate
beside the well, and Mary tended to Joseph's wounds. With
a WinCE from his bruises. He hoisted Mary on the
donkey and led it out of the village. He didn't
want to risk running into the thieves again. They set
up cab near a river, cutting through a grouping of trees.
(08:55):
The sound of crickets and owls hummed in blissful peace
underneath the last canopy of the Starlit sky. The couple
found solace in each other's arms. Their journey, fraught with perils,
had also become a journey of self discovery. They have
been tested and faltered, but love and faith were their
guiding stars. The road stretched before them, but they faced
(09:15):
it side by side. The road to Bethlehem still lay head.
It would be a few days until they reached their destination.
That night, as Joseph rested on Mary's lap, she looked
out in the distance. A soft breeze blew in from
the east. Under the light of the stars, Mary could
spot dark clouds cascading over the hills. She had a
(09:37):
feeling this would be her last moment of peace for
a long time.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
This biblical fiction about Mary and Joseph as they made
their way through the desert serves as a poignant metaphor
for our spiritual journey. The story brings out several themes
related to desperation, foolishness, and the mercy of God. The
narrative portrays Joseph's desperation vividly. Having lost their donkey and
(10:03):
supplies to thieves, the couple was left vulnerable and desperate,
Joseph's immediate reaction was anger and impulsiveness, leaving him to
take drastic action to reclaim what was lost. The hasty
decision led to more problems as he was injured and
the situation escalated further. Similarly, in our lives, desperation can
(10:24):
drive us to make rash decisions without seeking God's guidance.
Whether it's financial struggles, relational conflicts, or personal failures, we
can easily find ourselves in a mess when we act
out of desperation. Despite Joseph's impulsiveness, God's providence is evident
throughout the story. The Roman guard's intervention, the safety of
(10:48):
the donkey, and the eventual reconciliation between Mary and Joseph
all point to the unseen hand of God's mercy. Even
in their flawed human condition, God's grace followed them. Likewise,
we can be confident that God's goodness and mercy are
always with us, even when we make mistakes. Psalm twenty
(11:08):
three to six becomes a reassuring promise that we are
never beyond the reach of God's loving care. Mary and
Joseph's journey was also one of love and self discovery.
The trials they face only strengthen their bond and deepen
their faith. Their story reminds us that our spiritual journey
is not without challenges, but these experiences shape us and
(11:30):
draw us closer to God and each other. The story
of Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem serves
as a profound allegory for the Christian walk. It teaches
us about the dangers of acting and desperation, and the
inevitable messes we can create. Yet it also assures us
that God's goodness and mercy are ever present, guiding and
(11:50):
protecting us. A comforting verse to remember is Romans eight
twenty eight. And we know that all things work together
for them that love God to them world or called
according to His purpose. Even in our stumbling and mistakes,
God orchestrates his will in our lives. May we learn
to trust in His providence and lean on His love
(12:11):
despite our weariness and frustrations. Just as Mary and Joseph
found strengthen their faith and love for each other, may
we too find solace in our relationship with Christ and
those around us. The road ahead may be fraught with uncertainties,
but with renewed hope and purpose. Let's walk it side
by side with God, knowing that His goodness and mercy
(12:32):
follow us throughout our lives. Amen to dwell deeper into
Jesus's Old Testament appearances. You're welcome to visit discoveringthe Jewishjesus
dot com. I'd also like to recommend my new book,
Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing Messiah in the Pages of the
Hebrew Bible. It's available to purchase at my website. If
(12:53):
this podcast blessed you, please be sure to follow and
subscribe to you never miss an episode, and remember to
download Pray there are even more great stories, and make
prayer a priority.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life, and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever Psalm twenty three six. Dear Heavenly Father,
as we celebrate the birth of your son, we are
reminded of your enduring love. Your love reaches out to
(00:22):
us despite our foolishness, mistakes, and failures. Your goodness and
mercy are not limited to the perfect moments, but stretch
into the margins of our lives, covering us with grace
when we falter. Thank you for the assurance that, no
matter where we wander, your goodness and mercy are never
(00:44):
far behind, ready to restore, heal, and guide us back
to your embrace. This Christmas, may our hearts be filled
with gratitude for your unfailing love, your patience, and the
hope we find in our Savior's birth. In the name
of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen. Thank you for praying
(01:10):
with me to day. Stay tuned now for another episode
of Stories of the Messiah. With Rabbi Schneider.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Engrossed in her thoughts and nodding off from exhaustion, Mary
didn't notice them until it was too late. She turned
to see them and held back panic. Mary wasn't foolish
enough to scream. She knew that if she shouted for Joseph,
they would kill him before he could even reach his feet.
Mary remained still pretending to sleep, occasionally looking over. Her
(01:46):
heart was pounding. She was paralyzed in an unwinnable situation
as she watched the robbers take the donkey with them.
That is when Mary finally chose to speak. Joseph. She
whispered in an intense tone, too, I've taken everything. Joseph
rose frantically and unsheathed his dagger. Hearing Joseph, the robbers
quickened and ran into the thick of the night. Joseph
(02:08):
began to run after them, mind racing with rage and weariness. However,
just as he was beginning to gain on the thieves,
he heard Mary's voice. Joseph, where are you? Joseph stopped.
If he continued, something might happen to Mary. He watched
the dim figures disappear into the night. Joseph turned back
to camp. We've lost everything, he shouted, his voice trembling
(02:31):
with anger and regret.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Hello and shaloam everyone, and welcome to another Christmas episode
of stories of the Messiah. I'm your host, Rabbi Schneider
from discovering the Jewish Jesus, and it is my joy
to guide you through the epic tale of the Nativity.
In today's episode, Mary and Joseph continue their journey to Bethlehem.
Thieves have just stolen their donkey and supply is causing
(02:56):
tension between Mary and Joseph as their desperation increases. Joseph
fights bitterness against Mary and Mary fights insecurity about how
Joseph is feeling about her. This story is a dramatization,
and we can never really know what happened on that
journey between Nazareth and Bethlehem. Still, the struggles highlighted in
(03:17):
this episode are real, especially for a newly married couple.
Joseph and Mary are facing intense pressure. We eagerly wait
to see if that pressure causes them to crack or
to turn into diamonds. We often encounter situations that test
our patience, faith, and wisdom in our walk with God.
During these times, we can fall into desperation and make
(03:40):
foolish decisions that can get us into trouble. Psalm twenty
three to six reminds us surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life, and I
will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. This
powerful verse assures us that despite our follies, God's grace
is always there to guide and protect us. Joseph is
(04:02):
about to do something foolish out of anger, weariness, and pressure.
Let's see how it turns out for him. After our story,
we will rejoin each other to unpack Christmas themes.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Once filled with light hearted conversations and shared dreams, the
journey had become an echoing silence. Mary's heart ached not
from the physical strain, but from the chasm that had
formed between her and Joseph. Their shared pass now felt
like two parallel lines, forever together, yet never meeting. As
the sun cast long golden rays across the trail, marking
(04:38):
yet another day's journey, they entered the small village of Khan,
bustling with travelers and locals alike. Khan promised a brief
respite from the solitude of the valley. The two took
an opportunity to take some much needed time alone. Mary
sought water from the local well while Joseph wandered through
the marketplace, driven by a combination of duty and s
(05:01):
He was teeming with anger and frustration. At first, he
was angry with Mary. She was the one who let
her guard down so the thieves could come and steal
the supplies. But upon further reflection, Joseph knew she was
not to blame. He was now angry at himself. We
need the food, he whispered to God, Please, Lord, Please.
(05:23):
Joseph was exasperated and weary, but his attention piqued when
he saw a familiar sight. The side a fruit vendor
was his donkey. Strapped to it were all their possessions.
Beside the donkey were the two thieves bartering for dried dates.
Joseph's eyes lit up with excitement. A storm of emotion
surge within Joseph's anger, hope, desperation, all intertwining, urging him forward.
(05:48):
Joseph was usually a calculated man who considered all options
before acting. However, hunger and misery have a way of
fogging a man's judgment. Without warning or pretense, Joseph ran
towards the done. He took it by the reins, mounted it,
and kicked it.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (06:04):
He shouted, and the donkey ran frantically through the marketplace,
looking over the supplies of nearby vendors. Joseph looked back
as the two thieves ran in violent pursuit. The donkey
wasn't nearly fast enough With him on his back. He
turned the corner down a narrow alleyway, ducking under clothes
lines and support beams. He didn't know the streets of
Khan or where he was going. Joseph hadn't thought any
(06:26):
of this through. As Joseph turned the corner in one
of the alleys, his eyes widened. A drop off into
a courtyard was ahead, and the donkey was going full
speed without any intention of stopping. Not good, he shouted,
as he and the donkey lunged off a ledge into
a nearby field stand. Figs, apples, and honeycombs splattered over
the ground. The donkey picked itself up and darted off
(06:47):
with all the supplies. Before Joseph could chase after it,
he was tackled to the ground by both thieves. The
three men struggled in the dirt before the two strangers
pinned Joseph, where is our donkey? They sneered, your donkey?
You saw it from me, Joseph replied in anger, They
struck him on the mouth immediately, then threw him against
the wall. They delivered a blow to the ribs and
(07:09):
then to his face. Joseph knew he couldn't bite them.
He tried to run, but was pinned to the dirt again.
With the little freedom and strength he had left, Joseph
grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in their eyes.
They let up their grip just enough for Joseph to
scurry away. He rounded the corner and climbed the stairway
to a raised garden. He waited in the bushes and
watched the thieves turn in the opposite direction. Before they
(07:31):
could find Joseph, two Roman soldiers seized them and took
them away. Joseph crawled out and lay on the floor.
His ribs were bruised and his face was bleeding, but
he was safe. He propped himself up and looked around.
The donkey was grazing onto the shade of the terubin tree.
He hobbled over to it and stroked its nose. Thank
you Lord, he sighed, with a WinCE of pain. He
(07:54):
grabbed the reins and hobbled back to the well where
Mary waited. She sat down, hands on a belly, no doubt,
praying for Joseph's safe return. Of that moment, he was
reminded of the intense burden she carried. Who was he
to feel sorry for himself? He limped down the path
to Mary. Mary, he sighed in relief. Their eyes met,
and in that shared moment, words became superfluous. Joseph hugged
(08:17):
her with tender love. His ribs hurt from her arms,
but he didn't care. She held him tight, and the
barriers that had grown between them started crumbling brick by brick.
She looked at his face and gently touched his bruised cheek.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
For a moment, I thought I had lost you.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Mary whispered, tears glistening. Taking her hand, Joseph replied, I
will always find my way back to you. They ate
beside the well, and Mary tended to Joseph's wounds. With
a WinCE from his bruises. He hoisted Mary on the
donkey and led it out of the village. He didn't
want to risk running into the thieves again. They set
up cab near a river, cutting through a grouping of trees.
(08:55):
The sound of crickets and owls hummed in blissful peace
underneath the last canopy of the Starlit sky. The couple
found solace in each other's arms. Their journey, fraught with perils,
had also become a journey of self discovery. They have
been tested and faltered, but love and faith were their
guiding stars. The road stretched before them, but they faced
(09:15):
it side by side. The road to Bethlehem still lay head.
It would be a few days until they reached their destination.
That night, as Joseph rested on Mary's lap, she looked
out in the distance. A soft breeze blew in from
the east. Under the light of the stars, Mary could
spot dark clouds cascading over the hills. She had a
(09:37):
feeling this would be her last moment of peace for
a long time.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
This biblical fiction about Mary and Joseph as they made
their way through the desert serves as a poignant metaphor
for our spiritual journey. The story brings out several themes
related to desperation, foolishness, and the mercy of God. The
narrative portrays Joseph's desperation vividly. Having lost their donkey and
(10:03):
supplies to thieves, the couple was left vulnerable and desperate,
Joseph's immediate reaction was anger and impulsiveness, leaving him to
take drastic action to reclaim what was lost. The hasty
decision led to more problems as he was injured and
the situation escalated further. Similarly, in our lives, desperation can
(10:24):
drive us to make rash decisions without seeking God's guidance.
Whether it's financial struggles, relational conflicts, or personal failures, we
can easily find ourselves in a mess when we act
out of desperation. Despite Joseph's impulsiveness, God's providence is evident
throughout the story. The Roman guard's intervention, the safety of
(10:48):
the donkey, and the eventual reconciliation between Mary and Joseph
all point to the unseen hand of God's mercy. Even
in their flawed human condition, God's grace followed them. Likewise,
we can be confident that God's goodness and mercy are
always with us, even when we make mistakes. Psalm twenty
(11:08):
three to six becomes a reassuring promise that we are
never beyond the reach of God's loving care. Mary and
Joseph's journey was also one of love and self discovery.
The trials they face only strengthen their bond and deepen
their faith. Their story reminds us that our spiritual journey
is not without challenges, but these experiences shape us and
(11:30):
draw us closer to God and each other. The story
of Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem serves
as a profound allegory for the Christian walk. It teaches
us about the dangers of acting and desperation, and the
inevitable messes we can create. Yet it also assures us
that God's goodness and mercy are ever present, guiding and
(11:50):
protecting us. A comforting verse to remember is Romans eight
twenty eight. And we know that all things work together
for them that love God to them world or called
according to His purpose. Even in our stumbling and mistakes,
God orchestrates his will in our lives. May we learn
to trust in His providence and lean on His love
(12:11):
despite our weariness and frustrations. Just as Mary and Joseph
found strengthen their faith and love for each other, may
we too find solace in our relationship with Christ and
those around us. The road ahead may be fraught with uncertainties,
but with renewed hope and purpose. Let's walk it side
by side with God, knowing that His goodness and mercy
(12:32):
follow us throughout our lives. Amen to dwell deeper into
Jesus's Old Testament appearances. You're welcome to visit discoveringthe Jewishjesus
dot com. I'd also like to recommend my new book,
Messianic Prophecy Revealed Seeing Messiah in the Pages of the
Hebrew Bible. It's available to purchase at my website. If
(12:53):
this podcast blessed you, please be sure to follow and
subscribe to you never miss an episode, and remember to
download Pray there are even more great stories, and make
prayer a priority.
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